Oh, coming home from vacation is always a little heart breaking. We had such a lovely week away this summer--spent with Jeff's family in Ocean City, NJ. We had great weather and good company to spend the week with. It was our first time spending our vacation in Ocean City and it really turned out to be a nice beach town. I'm a big fan of Rehoboth, DE and Ocean City, NJ reminded me of Rehoboth, only on steroids--a bigger version of what I love as a beach town.
As I said, we were with all of Jeff's family. If you're not aware of the size of his family, be ready to be amazed that we can all get along so well for a full week. The group included Jeff's mother, his three siblings and their spouses and 10 children (under the age of six). The picture above shows 9 of the 10. The tenth is a 3 month old who was peacefully sleeping during this shot. Every summer that we vacation with the vB side, the group is bigger and we have to find a larger place to stay. This year, we were fortunate to find two condos on top of each other that held us all comfortably.
Every year Jeff likes to dream a little about what it would be like to live on the beach. And so, we take walks, discuss schooling and church options and pick up real estate fliers of homes that catch our eye. And then, we remind ourselves that we don't have that extra 3 million sitting around asking to be used for a beach house and the discussions are put to rest for another year. But it's fun to dream a bit, anyway. And you can be sure that next summer, we'll be having the same fun conversation.
We spent a lot of time on the beach (where the kids found ways to be covered from head to toe in sand),building amazing sand castles (which I can take no credit for. The kids can't even take much credit for them. The men, however, built kingdoms and pyramids which brought passer-byers back for 2nd and 3rd views),
on the boardwalk and Jeff was
able to fit in a good deal of kayaking--which is always the cherry on top of a good vacation for him.
We were glad to be with his family and we also enjoyed time just the four of us. What a blessing from God it is to be able to get away for a little while like that every summer.
I haven't taken the opportunity, yet, to formally announce my pregnancy on this blog. Most of you who read this already know, but for those of you who do not, I am pleased to announce that I am expecting our third child, whom we assume will be arriving sometime around January 16th. Jeff and I are very excited to welcome this new child into the world. 
Oh, coming home from vacation is always a little heart breaking. We had such a lovely week away this summer--spent with Jeff's family in Ocean City, NJ. We had great weather and good company to spend the week with. It was our first time spending our vacation in Ocean City and it really turned out to be a nice beach town. I'm a big fan of Rehoboth, DE and Ocean City, NJ reminded me of Rehoboth, only on steroids--a bigger version of what I love as a beach town.
As I said, we were with all of Jeff's family. If you're not aware of the size of his family, be ready to be amazed that we can all get along so well for a full week. The group included Jeff's mother, his three siblings and their spouses and 10 children (under the age of six). The picture above shows 9 of the 10. The tenth is a 3 month old who was peacefully sleeping during this shot. Every summer that we vacation with the vB side, the group is bigger and we have to find a larger place to stay. This year, we were fortunate to find two condos on top of each other that held us all comfortably.
Every year Jeff likes to dream a little about what it would be like to live on the beach. And so, we take walks, discuss schooling and church options and pick up real estate fliers of homes that catch our eye. And then, we remind ourselves that we don't have that extra 3 million sitting around asking to be used for a beach house and the discussions are put to rest for another year. But it's fun to dream a bit, anyway. And you can be sure that next summer, we'll be having the same fun conversation.
We spent a lot of time on the beach (where the kids found ways to be covered from head to toe in sand),building amazing sand castles (which I can take no credit for. The kids can't even take much credit for them. The men, however, built kingdoms and pyramids which brought passer-byers back for 2nd and 3rd views), 
on the boardwalk and Jeff was 
We were glad to be with his family and we also enjoyed time just the four of us. What a blessing from God it is to be able to get away for a little while like that every summer.
This is a late post. Joost actually turned five on July 16th, but I couldn't resist honoring another year of his life...even if it's a smidge late. He's such a great kid and it's been incredible to watch him mature from a baby into a boy. He's grown physically, emotionally, in his talents and, most wonderfully, spiritually. It is amazing to see your child drawn to the gospel and placing his faith and hope in it at such a young age. Jeff and I are grateful to God for giving us Joost and we pray that we might honor Him as we raise him.
